Why do you have to grow up?

In my last edition, I had one photo that had a caption "A picture is worth a thousand words". I think for volume 2, this is the photo! We have so many photos of you kids, bur I want to remember you like this.

When you're all grown up, and out living your own lives, just know, that when daddy looks at you, this is what I will see.

I will remember the cuddles, laughs and smiles. I will remember all of the times you said "I love you daddy". I will remember the times you wanted to hold my hand. I will remember when you told me that you don't want to eat vegetables anymore, because you don't want to ever grow up. I will remember all the songs we sing, games we play and tears we shared!

You will always be my little children, and I will always be your daddy!

Eternity!

My Eternal gifts! Blessed to you have for eternity!

First Time

In September of 2015, papa Fili's sister, my aunty Mili, passed away. She lived in California. We went as a family to her funeral. This would be the first time for you kids to meet a lot of daddy's side of the family. It would be the first time in a long time for daddy to see many of his cousins, uncles and aunties!

It was so awesome to be around family, and I'm so happy that we went. It is amazing to me that no matter how long it has been since you've seen your family... Family is Family. They welcomed you with loving arms, even though they have never met you. We had a great trip that weekend, and made memories and connections with family that will last forever.

You were amazed to meet papa Fili's twin brother, unlce Taumafai (Salogo)

Elijah, your middle name comes from this guy!

Several of daddy's uncles and cousins

Soccer?

So, daddy never played soccer growing up, and neither did mommy. I have never enjoyed watching soccer games. In fact, the only time I ever watched soccer, was when the US team was playing in the World Cup. I really don't know much about soccer.

Somewhere along the line, you boys loved playing soccer for a few years. Grandma Landa signed you boys up, and you guys really enjoyed playing.

We loved going to your games and watching. It was the best when you guys started figuring it out, and were able to score goals. Your mommy gets a little crazy on the sideline, but that might just be something you will have to get used to for the rest of your lives. She can't control it. Hahahaha!

You boys earned money from papa and grandma for each goal you scored. One season you did really well, and bought yourselves some cool stuff!

Families are Forever

I want you kids to know how important family is! In our culture, family is very important, and we believe families are forever. 

Mommy was the committee chair for the 2014 Sapiga Reunion, held here in Utah. She put in so much work, and it took about a year to plan. She held monthly meetings with her committee, and they planned out every detail. For the entire year, your mommy put a ton of energy and thought into making sure the reunion was a success. Your mommy loves her family!

Needless to say, the reunion was a success, and probably one of the best reunions to date. When I asked mommy why she worked so hard in planning it, she simply said two things...

• I love my family
• I want my kids to know where they come from

I love to be around family. I love seeing you kids playing with your cousins. I hope you treasure any time that you get to spend with family!

 Sapiga Family 2014

Grandma Jeanettes Siblings (most of them)

Top L-R Mahonri, Rick, Terry, Tony

Bottom L-R Beatrice (Tootsie), Faith, Anne, Jeanette, Susie

Beautifuls!

My two beautiful girls! This is one of my favorite photos. I have it on my phone, and it shows up every time your mommy calls me. I love it!

Sassy and Sweet!

Nettie, I love this photo of you! Even though your hair is messy, you look so cute, with your cousins. You are a sassy little girl, with a loving heart for your mommy and daddy! Always be who you are! It doesn't matter what the world thinks. Follow your dreams, and make big things happen. Daddy loves you!

Singing!!

So... singing, and music have always been big parts of my life. I love to play music and sing. I've loved to play music ever since I was a child and taught myself how to play the piano by ear. Later, my dad would make me learn how to read music. After my mission, I learned how to play the guitar, and eventually added the bass guitar, and ukulele to my list of favorite instruments. I also love to play the toere! Music brings me joy, and I hope you kids find an instrument that you love to play. I already know you can all sing, and it makes me smile every time I hear you singing. I love it!

I have been singing with Jr. Fano for close to 20 years now. He writes some amazing music and he is amazing. For the past 8 years or so, we've been hosting an annual Christmas Concert. We always have a great turnout, and it is something that I look forward to each year. The choir has grown over the years and it's always fun. Maybe you kids can join me in the choir when you get a little older. It's become a yearly tradition for us, and one that I hope continues for a long time.

Through the Years

I love some these photos. I miss you kids being this little. Time is going too fast... I just want it to slow down. Before we know, you will all be grown and gone, but I'll treasure these photos for the rest of my life. You were the cutest kids, and your mom just grows more and more beautiful as the years go by!

Florida 2015

We try to visit with papa Fili and grandma Landa in Orlando, at least once a year. They come out to Utah to see us often, but it's always a special treat to go to Florida and visit.

Every time we go to Florida, we always eat at Ohana Restaurant for the character breakfast. It is amazing, and you kids always get to meet the Disney characters. After breakfast, is usually our day to visit the Disney parks.

You kids are definitely spoiled and lucky!

Mr. Confidence

Much can be said about making sure you have self-confidence. Out of the 3 of our children, Elijah, you are one that we don't have to worry about building any self-esteem. You are bursting at the seams with it.

The Lord has blessed you son with many talents and abilities. Things seem to come easily and naturally to you. You are very smart with your school work, you can sing,  and you are very athletic. It's almost unfair, because most people have to work hard at developing talents, but you have been blessed.

The most important thing I want you to remember about your talents, is that the Lord blessed with these talents for a reason. Remember to use your talents for the Lord. Remember to share your talents, or you could lose them. Be humble, and recognize where your talents come from. Nothing wrong with being confident, but don't be cocky.

I love that you are so talented, and I look forward to seeing what you do with your talents throughout your life.

Great to be Eight!

So... this happened in 2015, but it is so important and I needed to write about it. Malachi took a huge step and made the decision to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!

Malachi, you prepared for your baptism for almost a year. You memorized your Articles of Faith, and learned about what baptism was. You had a great interview with the bishop, and you were so excited!!

Mommy prepared for your baptism for nearly a year as well. She made the program, got the decorations ready, and she had it all planned out for you... sparing no detail. She wanted it to be a very special day for you. All I had to to was show up, and baptize you, which I was very proud to do.

Both sets of your grandparents were there. Your papa John and papa Fili were the two witnesses for your baptism.

It was such a special day, and one that I hope you remember for the rest of your life. Always be true to the covenants you made that day, and remember who you are. We love you and are very proud of you.

Baby Jeanette

Well, since you were not born when I made the first book for our family, I figured, I better start with you this time around.

Jeanette Lynn Ulima Aulava. Born February 2, 2012. You were almost born on your brother Malachi's birthday, but you held out so that you could have your own day! You weighed 8 lbs, 14 oz and measured 19.5 inches. All 3 of you were about the same size when you were born.

You came a little earlier than expected. I don't think we planned on seeing you for a couple more weeks, but when mommy went in for her checkup, the doctor told her it was time for you to come out and see us. I was at home, and mommy called me from the hospital, telling me it was time for us to meet you. I kinda panicked and didn't know what to do. I had to call our mothers and tell them you were coming early. I had to get mommy's hospital bag, and make arrangements for someone to come get your brothers.

I got to the hospital, and they already had your mom in the room, getting her ready. As always, she looked beautiful. I was nervous, but very anxious to meet you. We had to wait a few hours because it was a busy day at the hospital, and a lot of babies were being coming at the same time as you. We finally went into the operating room, and out you came! A loud, beautiful baby girl.

Mommy did great, and she headed to the recovery room while I went with the nurses to wash you up. You loved the warm water on  your head. You were the most red out of all 3 of our babies. You were so cute when they put the little bow on your head, and we fell in love with you instantly.

We named you Jeanette (grandma Jeanette's name), Lynn (grandma Landa's middle name), Ulima (mommy's best friend in the whole world). You carry the name of great and important women in our lives. I hope you inherit the best traits from each of them, but I hope most of all that you are like your mommy.

Nettie, I pray that you will always feel loved by your family and your Heavenly Father. I hope that you will be strong, obedient, and kind. Always know that you are beautiful, and you can do anything you put your mind to. Mommy and Daddy love you!

"You're All I Need"

At night, when I close my eyes, I think of you

I think of you

It's then I realize, I need you

I think about you all the time

You're always on my mind

'cause you're the only one for me

You're everything, you're all I need

Yea...You're all I need

You make me want to be the man, you're dreaming of

So I'll do all I can, to win your love

You bring out the best in me

You light my way, and I can see

that you're the only one for me

You're everything, you're all I need

You're all I need

I need you like the air I breathe

Without you I'm incomplete

I need your smile, your loving face

I need your touch, your warm embrace

'cause you're the only one for me

You're everything, you're all I need

...You're all I need

I wrote this song for you, Jeane, my sweetheart, when we first started dating. Whenever you would leave Utah to visit your family in California, my heart would miss you so much. I would just sit with my guitar, and make up songs with your name it it. Hahaha.

This is one of the songs that stuck around, and luckily, you didn't laugh at me the first time I played, and sang it for you. I was so nervous that you wouldn't like it, or think I was some kind of weirdo.

Anyways, it ended up being the song we had our first dance to at our wedding reception. I hope you always know that this is how I feel about you.

I love you!

Blessed

Well, it's been 5 years since I made the first edition of "Daddy wanted you to Know", so it's about time to get another one going! We've grown a lot in the last 5 years, and the time seems to be going too fast!

In the last edition, Jeanette (Nettie), was not born yet. She was still a few months away from joining our family, and changing our lives forever. I'll be sure to include her in this book!

Our family has experienced many joys, and many sorrows in the past few years, but I can say that I feel truly blessed. Mostly because I feel the love of my amazing wife, and my 3 beautiful kids everyday. The Lord has blessed my life tremendously, and more than I deserve, with an amazing family.

I can honestly say, that at no other time in my life, have I felt the love of our Savior. My testimony of His grace, and mercy has been strengthened and I'm grateful to know that He lives. I have seen our family grow in the gospel together. From completing the Book of Mormon together as a family, and having regular family home evenings, I've seen the Lord's hand in guiding our family. Has everything been easy for us... no, but we continue in faith, and trust in the Lord's plan for us!

As with the first edition of "Daddy wanted you to Know", I will share my thoughts, and things I want you to know about me, and how much I love you... my family!